Titus 1:6

If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. (Notes, 1 Timothy 3:2) The thing dwelt on as the requisite in a bishop is a good reputation among those over whom he is to be set. The immorality of the Cretian professors rendered this a necessary requisite in one to be a reprover: their unsoundness in doctrine also made needful great stedfastness in the faith (Titus 1:9; Titus 1:13). HAVING FAITHFUL (BELIEVING) CHILDREN. He who could not bring his children to faith, how shall he bring others? (Bengel.) NOT ACCUSED - not merely not riotous, but "not (even) accused of riot" [ asootias...

6._If any one is blameless _In order that no one may be angry with Titus, as if he were too rigorous or severe in rejecting any, Paul takes the whole blame to himself; (217) for he declares that he has expressly commanded, that no one may be admitted, unless he be such a person as is here described. Accordingly, as he testified, a little before, that he had invested Titus with authority to preside in the appointment of pastors, that others might allow to him that right; so he now relates the injunction which he had given, lest the severity of Titus should be exposed to the illwill of the ignorant, or the slanders of wicked men. As this passage presents to us a lively portrait of a lawful bishop, we ought to observe it carefully; but, on the other hand, as almost everything that is here contained has been explained by me in the Commentary on the First Epistle to Timothy, it will be enough...

5-9 The character and qualification of pastors, here called elders and bishops, agree with what the apostle wrote to Timothy. Being such bishops and overseers of the flock, to be examples to them, and God's stewards to take care of the affairs of his household, there is great reason that they should be blameless. What they are not to be, is plainly shown, as well as what they are to be, as servants of Christ, and able ministers of the letter and practice of the gospel. And here are described the spirit and practice becoming such as should be examples of good works....

Verse 6. _IF ANY BE BLAMELESS_] 1 Timothy 3:2, c. _HAVING FAITHFUL CHILDREN_] Whose family is converted to God. It would have been absurd to employ a man to govern the Church whose children were not in subjection to himself for it is an apostolic maxim, that he who cannot rule his own house, cannot rule the Church of God; 1 Timothy 3:5....

IF ANY BE BLAMELESS, THE HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE - See the notes at 1 Timothy 3:2. HAVING FAITHFUL CHILDREN - See the notes at 1 Timothy 3:4. That is, having a family well-governed, and well-trained in religion. The word here - πιστὰ pista - applied to the children, and rendered faithful, does not necessarily mean that they should be truly pious, but it is descriptive of those who had been well-trained, and were in due subordination. If a man’s family were not of his character - if his children were insubordinate, and opposed to religion - if they were decided infidels or scoffers, it would show that there was such a deficiency in the head of the family that he could not be safely

EXPOSITION TITUS 1:1 _Knowledge _for _acknowledging, _A.V.; _according to _for _after, _A.V. A SERVANT OF GOD (δοῦλος Θεοῦ); so in the superscriptions: Romans 1:1; Philippians 1:1, Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ;_ _James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; Jud 2 Peter 1:1; Revelation 1:1. St. Paul also calls himself "the servant of Christ" ...

IF ANY BE BLAMELESS,.... In his outward life and conversation, not chargeable with any notorious crime; 1 Timothy 3:2, THE HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE; 1 Timothy 3:2: HAVING FAITHFUL CHILDREN; legitimate ones, born in lawful wedlock, in the same sense as such are called godly and holy, in Malachi 2:15 1 Corinthians 7:14 for by faithful children cannot be meant converted ones, or true believers in Christ; for it is not in the power of men to make their children such; and their not being so can never be an objection to their being elders, if otherwise qualified; at most the phrase can o

While reading this chapter, we must understand that Titus was sent to Crete, to superintend the preaching of the gospel throughout that island. Crete was at that time inhabited by a people who were only partially civilized, and sunk in the very worst of vices. Paul, therefore, tells Titus to speak to them about things which would hardly be mentioned to Christians nowadays. Titus 1:1. _Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; but hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour; to Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour._

ANALYSIS AND ANNOTATIONS I. INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS CHAPTER 1 _ 1. The salutation (Titus 1:1)_ 2. Instructions concerning elders (Titus 1:5) 3. Warnings against false teachers (Titus 1:10) Titus 1:1 Paul calls himself in writing to Titus “a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ,” for he speaks in these introductory words of God's elect, and their faith in Him; and the promise of eternal life, God, who cannot lie, gave before the dispensations began; and that His Word is now manifested through preaching which was committed unto him by our Saviour-God. God's elect are those who have trusted in Christ. Th

THE APPOINTMENT OF ELDERS. Paul renews in writing instructions delivered orally to Titus during his recent visit to Crete. As in Asia (1 Timothy 3:1 ff.), the safeguard against error is a wisely constituted ministry, faithful in conserving the true doctrine. For the elders-' qualifications _cf._ 1 Timothy 3:1 *. The lists are essentially identical, the chief difference being the addition here of just, holy, etc., and the omission of not a novice. 6. BLAMELESS: 1 TIMOTHY 3:10 *. HUSBAND, etc.: 1 Timothy 3:2 *. CHILDREN, etc.: the reason is given in...